The impact of adolescents’ everyday life experiences on their primary hyperhidrosis treatment – a qualitative study

Introduction: Hyperhidrosis is a disease affecting around 5% of the western population. The qualitative field within hyperhidrosis among adolescents has been sparsely investigated. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of adolescent hyperhidrosis patients’ everyday life experiences on their hyperhidrosis treatment. Methods: Qualitative, semi-structured interviews were carried out. In total, 10 adolescents, aged 12–18 years, participated in the study. Data were analyzed using a set of inseparable activities as described by Van Manen. Results: Three main themes were identified to represent common shared experiences across participants. The first theme was related to the impact of hyperhidrosis on the physical and psychological dimensions of life as it negatively affected both physical abilities and one’s self-concept. Having hyperhidrosis was experienced as living a life in secrecy, characterized by individual routines for concealment and isolation in order to protect social identity. Conclusion: The large negative impact of hyperhidrosis on adolescents is a strong justification for treatment of the disease. The substantial emotional distress suggests that treatment may need to include psychological support.